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Risk Factors

There is a correlation between atopy (an inherited, familial tendency to develop allergy, such as hay fever, asthma, eczema) and the potential for developing laboratory animal allergies (LAA). There is a stronger positive correlation between atopy and development of asthma. Personnel handling animals or are indirectly exposed to animals or animal by-products should be screened for inclusion in a medical surveillance program that will help to identify atopic individuals.

• Smoking does not appear to increase the risk of developing LAA, but if a smoker does

  develop LAA, they are 1.5-3 times as likely to develop asthma.

• Males are more likely to be atopic than females (47% vs. 37%) and therefore more likely

  to develop LAA.

• There is a strong correlation between the intensity of exposure to the allergen, and the

  severity of symptoms. However, any allergen exposure, even very low levels, may trigger

  symptoms in allergic individuals. 

   

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